🎧 Episode Summary:

In this co-hosted episode of The Contagious Leader, I sit down with Jelena Illich, Stress and Burnout Recovery Coach based in Perth, to explore the connection between leadership, self-care, and people-pleasing.

We dive into how leadership ripples out to those around us, and why prioritising your own well-being isn’t selfish — it’s essential. Jelena and I share our own perspectives and personal stories on breaking cycles of hyperactivity, finding moments of silence in a busy world, and the transformative power of saying “no.”

This conversation is a reminder that contagious leadership starts with self-love and self-awareness, and that the way you care for yourself shapes how you care for others.

You’ll hear about:

• How people-pleasing can drive stress and burnout

• Why silence and reflection are essential for productivity

• Self-care as a leadership superpower, not a luxury

• The journey of self-discovery and embracing authenticity

• Challenging assumptions and finding your voice
  

Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or just yourself, this episode gives practical insights and inspiration for showing up with courage, clarity, and balance.

👤 About the Guest:

Jelena Ilic is a Stress and Burnout Recovery Coach and the creator of Life Food Balance™. After 15 years in corporate leadership support, Jelena experienced burnout firsthand, and used her background in nutrition and nervous system regulation to rebuild her energy and resilience from the inside out.

Today, she works with leaders, teams, and organisations across Australia, helping them reduce stress, prevent burnout, and create sustainable energy—not by doing more, but by learning to do things differently. Through workshops, keynotes, and coaching, Jelena brings science, strategy, and heart to leadership, self-care, and wellbeing.

• Follow On Instagram @lifefoodbalance

• Follow On Linked-In →  Jelena Ilic

• Learn More About Jelena’s work → Life Food Balance

  
  

  
  

🔗 Connect with Laura Thain, Executive Leadership Coach

• Follow on Instagram → ⁠⁠@coachlaurathain⁠⁠

• On LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Laura Thain | LinkedIn⁠⁠

  
  

Work with Laura Thain → ⁠⁠www.optimitsetalent.com.au⁠⁠💬

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leadership, self-care, people-pleasing, stress, burnout, self-love, courageous leadership, personal development, coaching, women empowerment